The director of the US National Security Agency has been fired

The Trump administration has fired the director and deputy director of the United States' powerful cyber intelligence agency, the National Security Agency (NSA).

US Press CNN reported that members of the Senate and House Intelligence Committees and two former officials familiar with the decision confirmed the matter.

The firing of General Timothy Hoff, who headed not only the NSA but also the US Cyber Command—the military's offensive and defensive cyber units—is a major blow to the entire US intelligence community, the report said.

Hoff's deputy, Wendy Noble, was also removed, according to former officials.

The decision was sharply criticized by top Democrats on the Senate and House Intelligence Committees. In a statement Thursday night (April 3), Senator Mark Warner and Representative Jim Hyams condemned the firing of Hof, who had served since February 2024.

However, it is not yet clear why Hoff and Noble were suddenly removed.

Lt. Gen. William Hartman, a veteran military officer and Cyber Command deputy, may be named acting head of the NSA, according to two former officials.